Haverfordwest County 1-2 Newtown: Robins secure play-off spot from first-half showing

Newtown secured their place in the Europa Conference League play-offs after defeating Haverfordwest County 2-1 at the Bridge Meadow. 

First-half goals from Tyrone Ofori and Shane Sutton secured their place in the end-of-season showpiece having initially been outsiders following Haverfordwest’s fine early season form.

Danny Williams equalised for the Bluebirds but his strike was quickly made futile after Sutton scored before the half-hour mark.

The Bluebirds had a nine point lead over the Newtown at the start of Phase Two but have since let it slip, picking up five from a possible 30. 

The first foray into the Haverfordwest saw Lifumpa Mwnadwe win a corner off Sommerfield, his skipper Craig Williams corner slotted home from five yards by an unmarked Ofori.

The Bluebirds were rattled by the early setback, failing to win second balls and being odd their opponent, Ryan Edwards a composite fulcrum for the Robins and Shane Sutton a tower in their defence.

Wilson did have a half chance as Fawcett cleverly set him clear, goalkeeper Dave Jones was alert to the situation.

Despite a slow start to the match, an equaliser for the home sides came just after the quarter hour mark as they reshufled from their early setback.

Elliot Scotcher swung in a corner which Ben Fawcett headed home from ten yards, the frontman losing his marker for a free header.

Scotcher was lucky to escape a yellow card midway through the half when he cynically brought down Jordan Evans.

From the foul, Williams’s free kick from twenty yards was chested by Kieran Mills-Evans and saved well by home goalkeeper Gadja.

The hosts’ goalkeeper one was again on hand to save from Ofori but was helpless as Sutton headed the resultant corner into the bottom corner from fifteen yards.

Mills-Evans had a clear cut opportunity two minutes into the second half which he put wide, Williams and goal scorer Fawcett were making space but the final ball wasn’t succinct enough for a goal-scoring opportunity. 

Williams did have a strong claim for a goal after Fawcett bravely flicked on a throw-in with linesman Dan Beckett perfectly placed to make the call which he deemed didn’t cross the line.

Sean McAllister replaced Mwnadwe for Newtown and Cameron Keetch replaced Scotcher as both sides shuffled the pack with both sides wanting different outcomes from the match.

Substitute Jamie Breese had a clear chance with minutes remaining, firing wide when clear on Gadja goal only to fire wide.

A flurry of throw-ins from Jack Wilson saw Scott Tancock’s shot blocked in the melee, leading the game into added time but the Bluebirds were unable to find the target.

As a result of finishing in the seventh spot, Newtown will play Rhys Griffiths’ Penybont at the SDM Glass Stadium in two weeks’ time. 

Haverfordwest County: Wojciech Gajda, Daniel Summerfield (Sean Pemberton, 81), Alaric Jones, Scott Tancock, Ricky Watts (C), Corey Shephard, Ben Fawcett (Marcus Griffiths 85), Jack Wilson, Kurtis Rees, Elliot Scotcher (Cameron Keetch, 73), Danny Williams.

Substitutes not used: Josh Le-Grice (GK): Trystan Jones: Nick Palmer: Dan Jame

Yellow cards: Alaric Jones: Corey Shephard: Jack Wilson

Newtown: Dave Jones, Kieran Mills-Evans, Nick Rushton (81, Jamie Breeze), Jordan Evans, Craig Williams (C), Tyrone Ofori, Ryan Edwards (James O’Neill, 90), Shane Sutton, Alex Fletcher, Lifumpa Mwandwe (71, Sean McAllister), Callum Roberts.

Substitutes not used: Kham Stevenon (Gk): Jake Phillips: Alfie Jones:

Yellow Cards: Craig Williams

Referee: Alex McInch

(Featured Image: Thomas Houghton)